Our staff writer, Nicole Drum brings you an exclusive look at the world of makeup, and the latest in news, reviews and beauty tips in “The Pretty Files.” Nicole shares her thoughts and recommendations on the latest beauty products on the market and prepares you for the seasons ahead! “The Pretty Files” is a blooming series with a fresh look at hot and up-and-coming skincare and makeup trends.
August 28, 2013: Alphabet Soup – Skincare, Makeup, and BB Cream
Once upon a time makeup was easy. Well, maybe not easy but a little more streamlined. To have a basic look all I needed was foundation, powder, blush, and whatever I wanted to put on my eyes–usually eyeliner and mascara. CONTINUE READING…
September 4, 2013: CC and DD Creams Decoded
Hello, pretty people (aka all of you!) Last week I helped you make sense of the sea of alphabet creams that are on the market by talking about BB cream, what it is and what it isn’t. CONTINUE READING…
September 13, 2013: Fall Trends and Essentials
As New York’s Fashion Week draws to a close it’s time to start looking at what’s hot for fall, but just for me Fashion Week isn’t just about clothes. It’s about makeup and the trends we’re going to be seeing for the next season as well as…. CONTINUE READING…
September 25, 2013: All About Red Lips
A friend asked me one day what were the most common things people asked me in regards to makeup. I had been working for a prestige skincare and cosmetics line for only a few months, but even as a rookie I had a fast answer for her… CONTINUE READING…
November 6, 2014: Beauty in the Mail
You like makeup. You are kind of a skincare junkie. You enjoy trying all kinds of new and unusual products, but you don’t really have the time or the money to go out and buy the latest… CONTINUE READING…
November 21, 2014: Winter Skincare
I was looking at the weather forecast tonight and discovered that much to my near-horror, they are calling for snow and/or ice this week. Snow! Ice! CONTINUE READING…
January 14, 2014: Winging It Eyeliner Tutorial
Winged eyeliner. Cat eyes. Swoosh lid. Whatever you want to call it, the makeup look where the eyeliner goes just beyond the edge of the eye and upward is hot right now. CONTINUE READING…
February 12, 2014: Fuss-Free Valentine Curls
I don’t know about you, but there are things that I just associate with Valentine’s Day. Roses, pink t-shirts, decorated sugar cookies, and Hallmark cards all make me think of the holiday… CONTINUE READING…
March 19, 2014: Spring 2014 Trend
They tell me that spring is almost here. I’m inclined to believe them as I was able to forgo a coat for the last couple of days and even managed to break out my flip-flops one day last week. I don’t know about you… CONTINUE READING…
April 9, 2014: Mascara
In a previous installment of The Pretty Files we talked about winged eyeliner as a way to bring some drama to our eyes. It was a lot of fun, but eyeliner isn’t the only way to bring some simple interest to the eyes… CONTINUE READING…
April 23, 2014: Play Time: Mac’s Playland Collection
I am a big MAC fan. I am especially a fan of their lipstick and at any given time you’ll find about four tubes in various colors and finishes hanging out in my purse. I don’t go anywhere without my ‘lip glass’ (MAC’s term for lip gloss) in Beaux. CONTINUE READING…
May 31, 2014: Drugstore Beauty
Well the end of May is here and that means schools are out, people are working, and we’re all thinking about vacation. That usually means two things: travel and money. CONTINUE READING…
June 18, 2014: Hair Care
The most universal beauty “problem” out there involves hair. How many times have you struggled with a “bad hair day” or argued with some aspect of your hair’s texture or appearance that you simply didn’t like? CONTINUE READING…
July 22, 2014: Emergency Makeup
We have all had those days, days where we are lucky to get out the door on time to get to work or school only to get to our destination and discover we need to be more than just there: we have to look our best and in a hurry. CONTINUE READING…
August 20, 2014: Make Up Bag Rehab
When is the last time you really looked at the contents of your bag? This month we’re having a little intervention, sitting down to look at those bags of wonder, and sending all of us to makeup bag rehab. CONTINUE READING…
September 17, 2014: Fall Makeup Trend
Summer has left us (unless you’re in the southern hemisphere and in that case welcome back to warmer days!) I have been reluctantly packing away my sundresses and my flip flops and looking ahead to sweaters, boots, and scarves. CONTINUE READING…
October 15, 2014: Nailing It
When we think about being pretty we usually think about our hair and our skin, how we take care of them and how we enhance them. But skincare, makeup, and hair aren’t the only elements of being pretty. CONTINUE READING…
November 20, 2014: Hot Styling Tools
Hair doesn’t style itself. Sure, some days the stars align and you can brush or comb it through your locks and have everything fall in place, but more often than not you need a little bit of help… CONTINUE READING…
December 17, 2014: Best of 2014 Trends
Every December I like to take a look back over the year to evaluate what worked and what didn’t work in my life. This is especially true in regards to all things beauty-related… CONTINUE READING…
February 3, 2015: Warming up to Marsala
In contrast to 2014’s Radiant Orchid and 2013’s Emerald, Marsala immediately felt like a color that was user-friendly and wearable in regards to fashion. It also felt classic. CONTINUE READING…
March 31, 2015: No Shampoo Challenge
I spend a lot of time on Pinterest and various beauty blogs. I am generally looking for inspiration or new techniques, though sometimes I look for product reviews or things I absolutely must try. CONTINUE READING…
April 28, 2015: Acne & Breakouts
When I sat down to plan this month’s Pretty Files, my plan was to write about self tanners. As a vampire-pale human summer is my nemesis and the idea that a self tanner might keep me from blinding the planet was very inviting. CONTINUE READING…
May 21, 2015: Tan Time
Tanning, either in the sunshine or in tanning beds, will kill you. I’m not usually hyperbolic, but cancer really is no joke. Tanning also really damages your skin. CONTINUE READING…
June 15, 2015: Bronzer Basics
I get a lot of questions and requests as a professional makeup artist. I’ve mentioned some of them before, but there are requests that keep popping up, at least once a week if not more. CONTINUE READING…
July 31, 2015: 
Gallon of Water Challenge
No doubt you have seen those articles on the internet about the amazing effects of drinking a gallon of water a day. Many of them include a before and after photograph of the person… CONTINUE READING…
September 22, 2015: Red Lipstick, A Rich History
According to Taylor Swift, red lips never go out of style. As we slip into the rich, bold colors of fall that may feel like the case, but has red lipstick always been the classic that we consider it now? CONTINUE READING…
The Hudsucker 